Comparing Macbeth 'And Robert Baratheon'

ASOIAF vs Macbeth: Characters and Plot Analysis

Robert Baratheon—Macbeth

Eddard Stark – Banquo

Macbeth starts off with the backdrop of a Civil War, one that both Macbeth and Banquo are generals in. Similarly, looking at the history of the world of ASOIAF, we have Robert’s Rebellion, also known as the War of the Usurper. In this case we can liken Robert Baratheon with Macbeth and Eddard Stark with Banquo, with the two of them spearheading the movement. This is comparable to the role of generals that Macbeth and Banquo have in Macbeth. These characters, in both stories, seem to share a camaraderie only possible by those that have fought together.

The key difference is in the motivations behind the war and how it affects the results. In the

Macbeth shows he will do anything to be king, once he hears that Malcolm has been declared heir, he feels that it is just another obstacle he must leap over. Robert knew that the only way his could secure his path to the throne would be through the death of the children. He calls the two children “dragonspawn” and when Eddard protests that they were “no more than babes,” Robert simply calls it war. We see how these two usurpers were and are willing to do anything to get to the throne and to keep the throne. Robert continues to spend money trying to track down the Targaryen children and to send assassins after Daenerys and Macbeth is not above sending murderers after Fleance who originally escaped, if he becomes a

She certainly has the right attitude, being sly, cunning and manipulative. Although Lady Macbeth did not have a part in killing Banquo, she certainly had no aversion to it and would have done anything to ensure she stayed queen. Cersei on the other hand, is the one that imprisons Eddard for treason, leading to his eventual execution. Cersei ruling through Joffrey and Tommen can be likened to her manipulating Macbeth to do what she wants. All with the central purpose of becoming and staying queen. Cersei can be thought of as the head of the household as even though Robert holds more power, she is able to easily manipulate him to her whims. Just as how Lady Macbeth considered herself dominant, even referring to their castle as hers instead of ours (hers and Macbeths). She is also the one that convinces Macbeth to go through with killing Duncan, just like how Cersei pressures Robert into executing a Stark direwolf. Cersei is cunning and manipulative but eventually her manipulations and schemes end up collapsing around her and she is imprisoned. This can be compared with descent into madness of Lady Macbeth who ends up sleepwalking and kills herself. The only difference here is that Lady Macbeth was somewhat good and moralistic before. In a prominent soliloquy she appeals to the